The Tony Kornheiser Show – Episode: "Dear Ron"
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Rich Podolsky, Jason La Canfora, Jeff Ma, (via picks: James Carville)
Episode Theme:
This episode explores the legacy of legendary NFL broadcasting duo John Madden and Pat Summerall, their impact on television and sports culture, and pivots into current NFL discussion and betting advice for the weekend. Sports, nostalgia, and witty banter abound.
Main Theme & Episode Overview
Tony Kornheiser leads a lively episode filled with nostalgia, sports history, and NFL insights. The spotlight is on Rich Podolsky’s new book about the broadcasting impact of Madden and Summerall, followed by NFL analysis from Jason La Canfora and betting picks from Jeff Ma and James Carville. The episode blends deep dives into the art of sports broadcasting, the evolution of NFL TV rights, current league storylines, and irreverent humor on everything from fantasy football to vertigo.
Key Segments & Discussion Highlights
1. [02:00 – 15:27] Rich Podolsky: The Madden & Summerall Legacy
- The Greatest Broadcasting Pair?
- Tony asks: Is there a better pairing than Madden & Summerall?
“Is there anybody else you can think of that is a better pairing ever than Madden and Summerall?” — Tony Kornheiser [02:20]
- Podolsky responds: Only Buck & Aikman are close, but Madden & Summerall set the standard.
- Summerall’s Unique Career Path
- Played five sports at a high level; started TV in 1962 as analyst then play-by-play.
- Partnership with Brookshire ended due to "drinking escapades," prompting CBS President Van Gordon Sauter’s intervention.
- How the Partnership Formed
- Madden, an ex-coach, almost fired after his first TV season before impressing CBS brass at a pre-Super Bowl event.
- 1981: Summerall paired with Madden due to Terry O’Neill’s push (“it was a battle for the seat with Vin Scully also in contention”).
- The Fox Era
- Podolsky: Murdoch outbid CBS for NFL rights, leveraging Madden & Summerall’s credibility.
“[Signing them] gave a fledgling network instant credibility.” — Rich Podolsky [11:37]
- The End of the Era
- Madden’s abrupt, self-determined retirement from broadcasting.
“He just said, you know, when I retired from coaching, I said I was never going back. And I feel the same way now about this.” — Rich Podolsky [12:56]
- Professional Relationship
- Podolsky: They "loved each other as co-workers… but didn’t hang out together."
“They were friendly, but they weren't really friends, so to speak.” [14:37]
- Anecdote: Madden prefers Mexican with the crew over dinner with Ethel Kennedy. [15:03]
- Cultural Impact
- Madden’s on-air spontaneity—his mastery of the telestrator, Summerall’s minimalism, and cultural elevation of the NFL.
2. [18:43 – 32:39] NFL Recap & Weekend Preview – Jason La Canfora
- Buffalo vs. Miami Thursday Night Recap
- Not much learned; Bills offense “constricted,” Dolphins “not a quality product” (coach McDaniel possibly on the hot seat).
“I just don’t think this is… a good football team and someone will ultimately pay for that.” — Jason La Canfora [22:12]
- Detroit at Baltimore Preview
- Big game, calls back to 2023 blowout; expects a Baltimore win but “not as dominant… really interested to see how the Lions handle this.” [25:20]
- Tom Brady’s NFL Broadcasting Conflict
- Discusses potential conflict of interest with Brady as a part-owner and broadcaster.
“How is that not a conflict of interest?” — Jason La Canfora [28:59]
- Both Tony and Jason see it as problematic.
- Colts “Stunning” 2-0 Start
- Surprise team, could compete in a weak division.
- Jason’s Betting Show Plug
- Promising strong results in Champions League and NFL betting advice. [31:17]
3. [34:18 – 43:09] Betting Picks with Jeff Ma (and James Carville’s Picks)
- The "Tush Push" Play
- Discussion on whether the Eagles’ unstoppable short-yardage play should be banned; consensus is it’s a football fundamental, but officiating might become stricter.
“I don’t think it’s something that they should outlaw now… but I think they’re going to start officiating it very, very closely.” — Jeff Ma [37:21]
- Chiefs and Steelers: Early Season Woes?
- Both teams under scrutiny; looking for issues in offensive/defensive performance.
“The thing to watch with [the Chiefs] is whether they’re able to get the ball down the field.” — Jeff Ma [39:41]
- Jeff Ma’s Picks & Rationale:
- Titans +4.5 at Colts: “Big overreaction, Titans should be favored based on preseason lookahead.” [40:07]
- Jets +6.5 vs. Tampa Bay: “Not much difference between current QBs, Jets get the edge.”
- Falcons -5 at Panthers: “Falcons offense could be top of the league.”
- Patriots +1.5 vs. Steelers: “Steelers D has been sneaky bad.”
- Texas Tech +3.5 at Utah: "A win could propel Tech to the playoff."
- James Carville’s (Remote) Picks [from Europe]:
- College:
- Michigan/Nebraska Over 46.5
- East Carolina (+7) vs. BYU
- FIU -5.5 vs. Delaware
- NFL:
- Texans +1.5 at Jaguars
- Bears +1.5 vs. Cowboys
- Saints +7.5 at Seattle
- Washington -3 vs. Raiders
4. [46:57 – 61:13] Mailbag, Humor, and Show Closer
- Massive, joke-laden mailbag with stories about Robert Redford, playoff tickets, and insurance hijinks.
- Banter between Tony and Producer Nigel about listener emails, medical woes (vertigo, insurance), and bagels.
- Closes with a comedic original song (“Tiny Forks” by Mo Bluntz).
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “It made me very happy to think that Summerall and Madden loved each other. Right?” — Tony Kornheiser [14:14]
- “They loved each other as co-workers, but they didn’t hang out together.” — Rich Podolsky [14:28]
- “Signing [Madden and Summerall] gave [Fox] instant credibility.” — Rich Podolsky [11:37]
- “They were able to raise the NFL to new heights…on the shoulders of these two guys.” — Rich Podolsky [13:21]
- “How is that not a conflict of interest?” — Jason La Canfora on Tom Brady [28:59]
- "My position on the tush push is not ironclad, but it’s almost ironclad. I’m okay with it. I think it’s the essence of football." — Tony Kornheiser [34:37]
- “Don't bet with the moocs. Bet with us.” — Jason La Canfora [32:17]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:00] – Rich Podolsky on Madden & Summerall’s partnership
- [09:48] – CBS loses NFL rights; Murdoch moves Madden & Summerall to Fox
- [12:44] – Madden’s retirement and legacy
- [14:28] – Their real relationship off air
- [18:43] – NFL game recaps with Jason La Canfora
- [22:08] – Dolphins’ coaching future
- [23:37] – Detroit/Baltimore preview
- [26:24] – Tom Brady’s awkward broadcast/ownership role
- [29:01] – Discussion of surprise NFL starts (Colts)
- [31:17] – Betting show plug
- [34:18] – The “tush push” conversation with Jeff Ma
- [40:07] – Jeff Ma’s Picks
- [43:21] – James Carville’s picks
- [46:57] – Listener mailbag and show closer
Tone & Style
Tony’s trademark blend of irreverence, sports nostalgia, and warmth persists throughout. He’s inquisitive, playful, and collegial with guests, swapping stories and lightly needling regulars and listeners alike. The tone is conversational, occasionally nostalgic, often humorous, and always steeped in sports culture and banter.
Summary
"Dear Ron" is a quintessential Tony Kornheiser Show: a tapestry of sports history, league analysis, NFL broadcasting lore, and side-splitting asides, featuring deep dives into the magic of Madden and Summerall, lessons in NFL economics, sharp sports betting insights, and the sort of locker room camaraderie and mailbag oddities that have endeared the show to its listeners for years.